CHARACTERISTICS Well armored Long range missiles Good all terrain mobility Large and heavy Limited rate of fire

Introduction

The Jaguar is a tracked tank destroyer of German origin. Since 1966 the HS-30 tank destroyers were replaced by the Jagdpanzer Rakete, which in turn was developed into the Jaguar in the 1980's. The Jaguar was intended for use in the large scale armored combat anticipated during the Cold War. The Jaguar is one of the largest and best armored guided missile tank destroyers ever developed.

Layout

The chassis of the Jagdpanzer is very similar to those used on the Jagdpanzer Kanone and Marder. The Jaguar uses a crew of four, which are seated in the fighting compartment in the front. The missile launcher is mounted on the roof and the drive train is placed in the rear.

Firepower

The original Jagdpanzer Rakete was armed with two individual SS-11 launchers that could be used out to 3 km. The Jaguar 1 is armed with a single K3S launcher for firing HOT missiles up to 4 km. The Jaguar 2 uses a pedestal mounted TOW missile launcher for use up to 3.75 km. Additionally one or more MG3 machine guns are fitted.

Protection

The Jaguar is operated under full armor protection, except for the Jaguar 2 in which the gunner manually operates the launcher. With the increased bolt on protection the steel armor protects the crew from 30mm autocannon fire. NBC and fire extinguishing systems are standard. A total of 8 smoke grenade dischargers are fitted.

Mobility

The tracked chassis provides the Jaguar with a good cross country ability. A Daimler-Benz 500 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The Jaguar has maximum speed of 70 km/h forward and in reverse. It is not amphibious.

Users

A total of 370 new Jagdpanzer Rakete were ordered by Germany. Of these 316 were upgraded to Jaguar 1 standard. Austria received 90 ex-German Jaguar 1. A total of 162 Jagdpanzer Kanone were converted into Jaguar 2, which is the only version that remains in active Germany service. Since the threat of large scale armored warfare is reduced the Jaguar has lost its reason for existence and is phased out by both nations.

Jagdpanzer Rakete

The Jagdpanzer Rakete looks similar to the Jagdpanzer Kanone. It is also known as the RaketenJagdPanzer 2 / RakJPz 2 in German service. The same chassis as the Jagdpanzer Kanone is used but instead of a cannon two launchers for SS-11 missiles have been fitted. Both launchers cover the forwar 180 degree arc. The left launcher can only fire forwards and to the left and the right launcher only forward and to the right.

Jagdpanzer Jaguar 1

The Jaguar 1 is derived from the Jagdpanzer Rakete. It is armed with a single HOT missile launcher that is connected to an autoloader with an eight round capacity. Additional armor has been bolted on the superstructure to increase protection. The bow machine gun has been retained and a second a MG3 medium machine gun is mounted on the roof for self-defense.

Jagdpanzer Jaguar 2

The Jaguar 2 is derived from the Jagdpanzer Kanone. The cannon has been removed and the front is welded over. It is armed with a pedestal mounted TOW launcher fitted with an AN/TAS-4 night sight. It is fitted with a similar additional armor package as the Jaguar 1. A single MG3 medium machine gun is mounted on the roof for self-defense. Unlike the Jaguar 1 is has no bow machine gun. The TOW launcher can be used on a tripod away from the vehicle.